2020 Silly Season

[VIVA GT]

So, is Vettel going to end up at Renault to square the circle or is he retiring?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

So, is Vettel going to end up at Renault to square the circle or is he retiring?

I'm going with retiring. There's nothing he can achieve at Renault.

When I say retiring, I mean going racing elsewhere.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So Ricciardo leaving Renault. Pretty much confirms him at McLaren.

Look back an hour from your post.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Taking it well at Renault, then.

Sainz confirmed at Ferrari too. Silly season was short and sweet!

Ach! They could have strung it out a bit longer??

We didn't even get to mull over a dramatic return for our old mate 😃

Although it's much more likely we'll be discussing his son, another Seb in a few years

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I'm going with retiring. There's nothing he can achieve at Renault.

When I say retiring, I mean going racing elsewhere.

Yes I think so too. If he didn't have the stomach for another year or more at Maranello, how would Enstone compensate?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I didn't think Ricciardo would exit the Renault 'project' so soon, but then time is running out for him.

He was waiting on the 2021 rules, which I guess is out the window and who knows if Renault will stick around now?

I never thought he looked particularly comfortable at Renault.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I never thought he looked particularly comfortable at Renault.

I think it must've been a case that Enstone was his only available escape from RB and the Max factor?

[Born Racer]

McLaren will be the giggliest team with Norris and Ricciardo together. Press conferences will be a hoot.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

McLaren will be the giggliest team with Norris and Ricciardo together. Press conferences will be a hoot.

Was thinking exactly the same thing. It will be a lot easier to get through the hard times than it was with Fernando with no disrespect to Fred.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Ach! They could have strung it out a bit longer??

We didn't even get to mull over a dramatic return for our old mate ��

Although it's much more likely we'll be discussing his son, another Seb in a few years

Yes! One for silly season 2026 or something.

Horrifying to think we are that close to such a possibility. Where has time gone?

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes I think so too. If he didn't have the stomach for another year or more at Maranello, how would Enstone compensate?

With money

I was thinking retiring/leaving F1 for Seb but he did win his titles with Renault power.

And now i find myself daydreaming of a vettee/fernando paring at Renault for 2021.

That would be silly

[S griffin]

Marko has said they can’t afford Seb. So that’s a return to RBR out of the question. Renault could happen, as has been said he’s won with Renault power and could help get them back up there. Question is, how much he wants to do that? Could end up at Haas with Ferrari power, that would be interesting. I’m sure Haas would benefit a lot from his experience and winning. Or maybe he will replace Kimi at Alfa. I’m only speculating here, so don’t quote me on any of this!

[bella]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Marko has said they can’t afford Seb. So that’s a return to RBR out of the question.

mmm, that entire conversation seemed like an opening negotiation tactic. he never said anything about the b team...

[S griffin]

Would he really fit at Alpha Tauri though? It’s still for the young(er) drivers

[bella]

yeah, that's what i thought too, particularly with the new branding. vettel is actually still pretty young though, so it's not completely out of the question but it's definitely a long shot.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I’m sure Haas would benefit a lot from his experience and winning.

i know just said speculatively...but how good would the 2021 season of Netflix's Drive to Survive be with Steiner and Vettel going at each other?

i feel like both are absolute experts in the use of bad language

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by bella

yeah, that's what i thought too, particularly with the new branding. vettel is actually still pretty young though, so it's not completely out of the question but it's definitely a long shot.

Vettel is 32 and Gasly and Kvyat are 24 and 26 respectively. Would Vettel really fit in with their driver programme? It might also seem a little retrograde/awkward having a driver who won 4 consecutive WDCs with the senior team, joining the junior team.

[seanyb505]

So question of the day is who goes to Renault to partner with Ocon? Hulk?

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

So question of the day is who goes to Renault to partner with Ocon? Hulk?

Whoever is willing to take the money to be thrown under the bus by Cyril Fullofshit at the end of the season.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Whoever is willing to take the money to be thrown under the bus by Cyril Fullofshit at the end of the season.

true story!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Whoever is willing to take the money to be thrown under the bus by Cyril Fullofshit at the end of the season.

Alonso might bring a few of Kimoa stickers 😉

He's the one being most strongly 'vined' today at least.

Same question applies as with Vettel though. Would he have the desire to be in F1 in anything less than a competitive car?

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Whoever is willing to take the money to be thrown under the bus by Cyril Fullofshit at the end of the season.

sigh...I'll go get my helmet.

Originally Posted by chunterer

Alonso might bring a few of Kimoa stickers ��

He's the one being most strongly 'vined' today at least.

Same question applies as with Vettel though. Would he have the desire to be in F1 in anything less than a competitive car?

I know it's been said it wasn't about the money, but if Vettel and Ferrari (a wealthy team with a top car) couldn't come to a deal, how will less wealthy mid-field teams find a deal with Vettel? I feel like he's about to sit the next one out, and then probably more after that.

[broadrun96]

Vettel strikes me as the F1 or nothing guy. Don't see him headed anywhere other than in to the sunset. Some drivers talk about other cars and have public comments about other classes. Seb seems to be an F1 and peak of racing guy. But maybe I'm wrong there.

What does Ric to McLaren do George Russell? There isn't really a space for him to move up any time soon. MB seems high on him and they can't want him suffering in the Williams for another year. Force Racing Martin seems like another step up but would there be a seat there any time soon? Would the owner's kid take a seat somewhere else in racing to let MB place a driver? Perez is under contract through 22 I think so that would seem to rule his seat out. Or would MB bring GR all the way up to the big team and replace Bottas, depending on his contract? Would Bottas then take up a spot at Renault if MB could let him go? It will make the year interesting, plus any team that may not make it to 2021.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Casper

LeClerc's frustrations will rise if he can't win a world championship just as Alonso's and Vettel's did and he will then suffer the fate of those drivers when he leaves Ferari to join another team. He is obviously a man in a hurry much like Alonso was and thinks the championship should be his by default. A lot of young drivers who think this way finish up not doing well. I would put Verstappen in the same boat, no WDC and he will not be a happy camper and one of them is going to lose.

Very odd take.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Whoever is willing to take the money to be thrown under the bus by Cyril Fullofshit at the end of the season.

Probably right - or Renault might draft in one of their junior program dudes.

Must say that the Netflix program has provided really interesting insight into the different teams. We clearly don't see everything but out of them all, Cyril Abitofbullsh looks to be by far the least impressive. I'm conscious of course that English is his second language so sometimes he's going to be somewhat awkward but still..........

Must say that if I was on the team, his constant need to tell everyone "remember to 'ave fun" at race meetings and on the grid would annoy and it paints him as something of a square peg in a round hole - doesn't quite fit with the team and the ethos of F1.